比肩接踵 — “To describe a large crowd or a continuous flow of people”
比肩接踵 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to describe a large crowd or a continuous flow of people”. Where people are so numerous they stand shoulder to shoulder and follow closely, almost treading on each other's heels. Literally, “shoulders touching, heels following”.
比肩接踵 Pronunciation and Pinyin
比肩接踵 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 比肩接踵
Origin and Story of 比肩接踵
King Ling of Chu, aware of Yan Ying's short stature, conspired with his ministers to humiliate him. Upon Yan Ying's arrival at Yingdu, the capital of Chu, the city gates remained closed. A Chu guard led Yan Ying to a small, newly opened side door and suggested he enter through it. Yan Ying scoffed, saying, "This is a dog hole. One enters here if sent to a dog kingdom. How can I, an envoy to the Kingdom of Chu, enter through such a passage?" King Ling of Chu, having been outwitted by Yanzi, had no choice but to open the main city gates to welcome him.
Still determined to ridicule Yan Ying, King Ling of Chu, during their audience, began with the question: "Is it possible that there are no capable men left in Qi?" Yan Ying responded with a firm voice, "In the capital of our state, people walk shoulder to shoulder and heel to heel; how can you claim there are no men?"
King Ling of Chu chuckled and rejoined, "If there are men, why did they dispatch you, a man of such short stature, to our country?" Yan Ying sighed and explained, "Our most distinguished and competent envoys are sent to countries ruled by virtuous monarchs." Yan Ying then added, with deliberate emphasis, "As for an insignificant person like me, I am only fit to be sent to meet you."
The idiom "比肩接踵" (bǐ jiān jiē zhǒng) originates from this tale, literally meaning 'shoulders rubbing, heels treading,' vividly describing a place extremely crowded with people.
Idioms Related to 比肩接踵
Synonyms of 比肩接踵
More idioms starting with 比
- bǐ比shàng上bù不zú足，，bǐ比xià下yǒu有yú余not the best, but better than most
- bǐ比xià下yǒu有yú余better than some, so content
- bǐ比zhòng众bù不tóng同distinctly different from the rest
- bǐ比wū屋kě可fēng封virtuous households everywhere
- bǐ比wū屋kě可zhū诛Widespread wickedness deserving punishment
- bǐ比wū屋ér而fēng封Every household is honored
- bǐ比wū屋lián连méng甍houses densely packed, roofs almost touching
- bǐ比suì岁bù不dēng登Repeated years of poor harvests
- bǐ比nián年bù不dēng登successive years of poor harvests
- bǐ比zhāng张bǐ比lǐ李compare from many angles
- bǐ比hù户kě可fēng封Every household is worthy of ennoblement
- bǐ比shǒu手huà划jiǎo脚talk with lively hand gestures
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Open the tool →Questions about 比肩接踵
What does 比肩接踵 mean?
比肩接踵 (bǐ jiān jiē zhǒng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to describe a large crowd or a continuous flow of people”.
How do you pronounce 比肩接踵?
比肩接踵 is pronounced bǐ jiān jiē zhǒng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 比肩接踵 literally mean?
Literally, 比肩接踵 means “shoulders touching, heels following”. It is used to mean “to describe a large crowd or a continuous flow of people”.
Where does 比肩接踵 come from?
比肩接踵 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to the modern era. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 比肩接踵?
犹比肩继踵。形容人很多或接连不断。